The mysterious sinking of the battleship "Maine" in Cuba brought America into the 1898 war with Spain over Cuba's
independence. Production at the brewery increased to supply the demands of the 30,000 troops that departed Cuba from the large port of Tampa. During this period Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders reportedly "rode through the brewery on their horses, helping themselves to liquid refreshment.' It was also during the war that oldiers attempted to crack the safe at the brewery. A brewery worker confronted the would-be robbers who dropped their guns and tools before fleeing. This was fortunate since the brewery had failed to make bank deposits for the preceding week and the vault was overloaded with silver dollars.

Funding:

Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project.